Rongzom Chokyi Zangpo

Rongzom Chokyi Zangpo (Tib: rong zom chos kyi bzang po), also known as Rongzom Mahapandita (11-12th century)

Rongzom is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest and most influential masters of the Tibetan Buddhism. Along with Longchen Rabjam, he is often cited as one of the two "omniscient ones" of the Ancient Translation School, the Ngagyur Nyingma (snga 'gyur rnying ma). Said to be the reincarnation of an Indian pandita named Smrtijnanakirti, Rongzom was renowned for his mastery of the Sanskrit language. He is also said to have had an unparralleled understanding of the Buddhist doctrine, and of the Nyingma teachings in particular. The master and historian Go Lotsawa said of Rongzom that no scholar in Tibet is his equal.

Literary Works

See Writings of Rongzom

Main Teachers

• Doton Senge
  
• Garton Tsultrim Sangpo
  

Main Students

• His sons: Zijibar and Bumbar
  
• Korup Lotsawa
  
• Marpa Topa
  
• Khukpa Letse
  

Alternate Names

• Rongzom Mahapandita
  
• rong zom; Rongzom
  
• rong zom chos kyi bzang po
  

Other Reference Sources

Information on the life and works of Rongzom can be found in Dudjom's The Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism and Petit's Beacon of Certainty.